Overlooked(1)(177)
Returning to the living room, I set one of the glasses of water down in front of Piper and hold the other glass in my hand.
She’s taken the same spot on the couch again, so I sit in my armchair.
It’s been a week since Piper was last here. I’ve been busy settling in and getting myself organized. The only place I’ve been is the grocery store so I haven’t checked the town out much or met anyone else.
Piper’s dad keeps a low profile, and the only time I see him is when I spot him in his backyard from my fake bedroom window.
Though I’m not even sure I can be bothered to meet him, he was so rude that night. Figures I’d end up with some dick neighbor. At least the kid is cool.
“Avery, did you know almonds are poisonous? In some countries, you can’t buy more than ten pounds of almonds at once, because if you ate it all, you would die. It’s one of the most poisonous poisons,” she says.
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
I make a mental note to Google that later.
“Do you ever see your mom?”
“Never even met her. It’s just been me and my dad my entire life.”
He’s never had any long-term girlfriends? I find that hard to believe, given how gorgeous he is. Although it serves him right, since he grunts instead of talking.
“Would you rather eat ten pounds of almonds or drink a cup of water from the toilet?”
“Definitely the almonds.”
“But you might die.”
“I think I’d puke before I got to that stage.”
Piper comes out with all sorts of random facts, most of which I’m unsure whether to believe.
She picks up her glass, downs the rest of the liquid and sets it back down on the table. Wiping her mouth with her arm, she looks at me and says, “Can you help me buy a bra? I don’t know how to pick the right size, and neither does my dad.”
I’m taken aback and speechless for a moment.
“Sure, of course,” I say.
How could I say no?
“Can we go to Target on Saturday?”
“Absolutely. As long as it’s okay with your father.”
I change the subject, and we talk about other things. The doorbell rings just after seven.
Piper leaps up and says, “That’s my dad.”
At least the doorbell is an improvement over banging on the door.
I get off my old leather chair and follow Piper to the door. She flings it open, and her father stands on the doorstep. He’s wearing a tight, black t-shirt that molds to the form of his muscular body. I try not to stare, but he also has a number of tattoos poking out of the sleeves.
“Good evening,” I say, forcing my eyes to stay above his neck.
“Sorry my daughter keeps bothering you,” he says with a scowl. It’s an improvement over grunting.
“Dad,” Piper protests.
“It’s no problem, honestly. It’s nice to get to know my new neighbors,” I say, smiling.
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t bother you again.”
“She doesn’t bother me,” I say, tousling her hair. “In fact, is it okay if I take her shopping on Saturday?”
He screws his face up and glancing between me and Piper. He asks, “Why?”
“She’s going to buy me a bra. Right, Avery?” Piper says.
His face drops, and he says, “I’ll think about it.”
“It’s no problem, honestly. I know men can’t figure out girl stuff. She needs someone to take her shopping.”
“I can raise my daughter just fine,” he says, snarling. Without pause, he takes her hand and pulls her towards their house.
“Hey Piper, what’s your dad’s name?” I call out as they cut across my lawn.
She looks behind her, the streetlight sparkling in her eyes and a hesitant smile on her face, “Knox.”
“Nice to meet you, Knox,” I call out.
He grunts without looking back.
Knox
I’m still pissed at the way Avery spoke to me last night.
It’s late afternoon and Piper should be home from school soon. Her friend’s mother is dropping her off this afternoon because I’m behind schedule on getting this ’71 Mustang finished for a client.
My driveway goes all the way from the road, between my house and Avery’s and ends in a well-equipped garage I had built in my backyard.
The scarlet car is half out of my garage. The hood is up and I’m bent over the running engine, listening, figuring out how to make it purr.
But I can’t get my mind off Piper. She’s turning into a young woman, and I feel in over my head more now than at any other point in raising her.
And I’ve had a lot of days of feeling in over my head.
For starters, what did a twenty-two-year old guy know about raising a baby? I figured it out. I had to.